Method of making registered duplicate-image multiple color printing plates



y 16, 1944- J. A. WHITE 2,348,944

METHOD OF MAKING REGISTERED DUPLICATE-IMAGE MULTIPLE COLOR PRINTINGPLATES Filed Dec. 17, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 E511 a. I

VIII/Avila /0 Z Y INVENTOR. /ZS$'E .HRNOLO Wf/TE A 7- TOQ/VEX May 16,1944. J. A. WHITE 2,348,944

METHOD OF MAKING REGISTERED DUPLICATE-IMAGE MULTIPLE COLOR PRINTINGPLATES Filed Dec; 17, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 J 1" fi-E- 39 42 v I 1 a;

INVENTOR. Jesssfle/vmo Mu r5 nrraezvsx atented May 1-6, 1944 METHOD FGATE-IMAGE MULTIPLE COLOR PRINTING PLATES Jesse Arnold White, Peoria,Ill., assignor to Muir son Label Co.,'Inc., San Jose, Cal a corporationof California Application December 17, 194:2, Serial a... 460,298

8 Claims. (oi. till-401.2)

My invention relates to a method for preparing from a set of originalcolor plates a set of multiple image color plates where eachof thelatter plates contains a. pluralityof duplicated printing images for itsparticular color.

The object of my invention is to provide a method for making an integralset of multiple image color printing plates for each'color and in whichthe multiple plate images for each color are in perfect register withthe corresponding plates for the other colors so that the plates foreach color can be placed in the press as a unit and can be brought intoregistry with a minimum amount of make-up time.

Another benefit flowing from the method of my invention, which permitsthe close spacing of eachof the duplicate color plates for each 7 color,is the elimination of waste of paper,

amounting in a run oi only 100,000 sheets of can labels to a saving ofabout $100.0 1

While my method may be practiced by various forms of apparatus andvarious modifications in the arrangement of steps, it is not myintention to relinquish the right to these by vir-= tue of the followingspecific description which is intended to illustrate the method asrequired of me by section 4885 of the Revised Statutes.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows in perspective the original color plates intended for athree-color job;

Fig. 2 shows in perspective one of the original color plates with aproof being lifted from it;

Fig. 3 shows in perspective color platesfor the other two colors withthe proof lying on the top;

Fig. i shows in perspective the original color plates for the threecolors;

Fig. ta is a view in cross-section takenon the line IV-IV of Fig. l, butshowing. a modified form of punching;

Fig. 5 shows in perspective one of the original color plates with a moldbeing lifted from it;

Figs-5a is a view in cross-section taken on the line VV of Fig. 5; i

Fig. 6 shows the duplicate molds being assembled in a ji Fig. 7 showsthe molds secured together and ready to be used in making a printingplate; and

Fig-8 shows in perspective the multiple image color printing plates.

Referring now to these different illustrations.

I shall explain the various steps in carrying out my method. It isunderstood that I do not intend to limit my method of the use of anypar- 52: is a view in perspective of an indexing titular form ofapparatus nor to the sequence of steps identically as set forth in thisexplanation, nor to bar myself from the combining of several steps intoone step.

I shall illustrate and describe my method as applied to a three-colorjob, although it has application to printing in as many colors as ispossible or desirable. InFig. 1 the origin color plates for athree-color job are denotedhgr the numerals ill, ii and l2. 1 1

Original plate l0 preferably is the one for the dark blue or black colorand is chosen as the key plate. Any of the other plates it or 32 couldbe used as the key plate, although I have found the procas is moresatisfactory when the plate chosen as the key plate is the one havingthe darker or foundation colors. In order to illustrate in these blackand white patent drawings the idea of three plates l0; ii and i2 carrjring different colors, I have used the word Del Monte" set ofiby shadingin two difierent colors. 'Plate l0 containsthe main lines of the lettersin one color. Plate it contains the shad ing in a contrasting color forthe upper and right-hand borders of the main lines oi the letters; andplate l2 contains the shading in still another color for the lower andleft-hand borders of the letters. 'As impressions are made from thesethree plates the resultwlll be letters in one color shaded by twocolors.

Having chosen it] as the key plate, the next step is to lay on on thiskey plate two or more reference points such as it and it. Preferablythese are at points spaced well apart, and usually two such points willsufice. These can bemade with a punch prick marl: or in any other mannerdesired. Preferably the merit is one which will leave an impressionon aproof to be taken from plate iii. o

The next step is to take a proof of key plate it; sothat the referencepoints it and it will 7 show up on the proof. in relation to the lettersi be immovably marked on punch or prick mark while Del Monte, Ifavailable, a transparent material should be used for this proof. This isillustrated in Fig. 2 where the original plate is is shown inperspective and the transparent proof We is shown being lifted off plateit. The proof*contains the letters Del Monte, together with thereference points i301. and Ma. 'These reference points it and M on theoriginal plate it may the proof Illa by a the transparent proof illa islying-on the surface of plate l0. If this is done, great care should betaken to see that these marks l3a, Ila are made with the word Del Monteon the proof in perfect registry with the word Del Monte on the originalplate ID.

The next step (see Fig. 3) is to take the transparent proof Illa and layit on the original color printing plate II and bring the word Del Monteon the proof in proper registry with the image on printing plate H. Whenthis is done a mark I3b and Nb is made in plate H. The transparent proofIlia is then moved onto the face of original color printing plate l2 anda similar mark I30 and lie is made on plate 12 when the word Del Monteon the proof is in registry with the image carried on plate l2.

These steps would be repeated for each original color plate in theseries.

When the steps thus far are completed. there is on each original colorplate a plurality of reference points 13, l3b, I30, ll, Nb. llcpositioned so they would lie on a straight line passed through theplates IO, U and I2 at right angles to their printing surface whennested with the respective complementary color printing portions inregistry.

The next step is to make the reference points I3, I32) and He on each ofthe plates more prominent so that they can be used as a physicalanchoring point in the subsequent molding steps. There are several waysthat this can be done. I Fig. 4 the reference points 13, l3b, I30, 14,14b, llc have been enlarged as by a punch into holes about of an inch indiameter. Great care must be taken that these holes are drilled orpunched exactly on the centers l3, l3b, I30, l4. llb, He, obtained bysuperimposing the transparent proof in an earlier step in the process.Instead of punching these holes, a jig may be used which would up-setthe plate from the back so that each plate in cross-section would looksomething like Fig. 4a, having the projecting nipple l3. These are justtwo of many ways of obtaining the result sought and how it is done isnot particularly material to my method so long as it is done veryaccurately and the reference points l3, l3b, l3c, l4,'llb, and Ho arenot moved. The object sought is to get means on each original plate fortransferring the reference points to the mold impressions in a boldenough manner to serve in properly spacing the duplicate moldimpressions in a later step in the method.

Assuming that the reference points have been marked in plates 10, II andI2 by punching the holes, a pin 20 having a projecting nipple 2| (seeFig. 5b) is fitted, one in each hole (see Fig. 5a).

In Fig. 5 I have illustrated plate l having these pins with the nipples2| projecting above the printing surface of the plate.

The next step is to lay the plate in a molding press with the moldingmedium on top of the plate and make several mold impressions 22 of plate10. As many of these impressions are made as duplicates are to appear inthe finished printing plate (Fig. 8). Each duplicate will have adepression 2la corresponding to the nipple 2| which will enable themolds to be spaced accurately. These molds 22, one of which is shown inFig. 5 being lifted up off of plate l0 after the impression has beenmade, may be of sheet lead, wax, template, or any other suitablematerial. While I have illustrated in Fig. 5 the making of moldimpressions from plate [0, the same thing is done from original plates Hand 12. In this present description I shall assume that the finalprinting plates 5i,

52, 53 are to contain four duplicates. In other words every time theprinting cylinder rotates, four labels will be printed.

The next step is to take the four duplicate mold impressions 22 madefrom color plate II and place them in contiguous spaced relation andthen to secure them together so that mold plates 22 will have a definiteand preferably the same spacing and alignmentv of the reference points2la. This step may be carried out in any number of diflerent ways. InFig. 6 I have illustrated one form of jig which has been found to besatisfactory for this purpose. It comprises a base 30 supported ontoggles 3| and 22 with the turnbuckle 23 and threaded elements 24 toraise and lower the base 30 in the frame 25. Uprights 36, also securedin the frame 35, support horizontal rods 31 on which may be accuratelyand evenly spaced the movable elements 38 having nipples 40 adapted tofit in indexing depressions 2la formed in molds 22. These indexing heads38 are adjusted on threaded bars 31 by means of internally threadedwheels 42. Rods 31 are spaced apart so that each matching pair ofnipples 40 are spaced the same distance apart as the distance betweenpoints I! and Il n plate ill or depressions 2la on each mold 22. Guides43 passing through openings in the base of frame assure a perfectvertical traverse of base 30.

Using the jig shown in Fig. 6 the four molds 22 from color plate H! arefirst trimmed to size and laid on the base 30. The turnbuckle 23 isrotated enough to bring base 20 and molds 22 up just short of entry ofnipples into recesses 2la. Then, the operator checks to see that theindexing headsu are'properly spaced along the bars 31. In thisconnection it is important that the indexing heads positioning each mold22 shall be spaced so that the molds are held parallel to each other asan aid in trimming the labels after the printing is done. It is alsopreferred that the indexing heads 22 be evenly spaced so that thedistance between each adjacent pair of nipples 40 is identical. Hereagain this aids in the subsequent processing of the printed labels andmakes for economy. However it is not absolutely essential that thedistance between each adjacent pair of nipples Ill be identical.

The vital thing is that once the indexin heads 38 are placed for spacingthe set of four molds 22 made from color plate l0, this spacing must notbe disturbed. Then, the other sets of four molds 22 will be spaced bynipples ll in an identical relation to the first set of, four molds andthus assure perfect registry of the printed image in the several colorsduring the printing process.

Picking up the description now where the base 30 was lifted so that thenipples 40 are about on a level with the four molds 22, and the indexingheads have been properly positioned: Each mold is then positioned sothat its depressions 21a align with the adjacent nipples ll. When theseare aligned, the turnbuckle 22 is rotated to lift base 30, causingnipples II to enter depressions 2la. In this manner the molds 22 areaccurately spaced and securely held on base 30 and the next step is formolds 22 to be secured together with molding wax or other material sothat the four molds 22 become a unit. This unit containing the fourduplicate original mold plates 22 from the original mold I0 isillustrated in Fig. 7. The numeral 5| represents this composite moldplate which is now ready to be put in an electrolytic bath to be catemolds 21 made from each of the original.

plates II and II.

By means of my method the printer is assured that the printing platesll, 52, 83, each of which contains four duplicate images correspondingwith original plates II, II and It, can be brought into perfect registryin setting up the press by simply bringing into registry the images atH, II and I. on the printing plates.

The .greater economy in tim and materials which results from my methodjust described will be clear from the above description. When plates II,52 and 53 are put in the press, they will register as a group and thepressman can deal with them as a group instead of having to deal with aplurality of separate duplicate printing plates and spend a great dealof make-ready" time in bringing a plurality of separate plates intoregistry. By using my method the pressman as the first plate of eachmultiple plate is in registry with the similar plate on the othercolored plates, then the second, third,fourth plates will also be inregistry.

What I claim is:

1. In preparing from a set of single original color plates a set ofmultiple image color printing plates where each of the latter platescontains a plurality of duplicate printing images for its particularcolor, a method to assure registry of each plural set of color imageswith each other plural set of color images, which includes the steps ofmarking on each original color plate a plurality of reference pointspositioned so they would lie on a straight line passed through theplates at right angles to their printing surface when nested with therespective complementary color printing portions in registry, making aplurality of mold plates from each of said original plates, placing oneach mold plate the aforesaid reference points located in register withthe original plates, placing in contiguous spaced relation and securingtogether each plurality of identical mold plates with the spacing andalignment of the reference points identical for each set 01' assembledmold plates, and making printing plates from each set of assembled moldplates.

2. In preparing from a set of single original color plates a set ofmultiple image color printing plates where each of the latter platescontains a plurality of dupicate printing images for its particuarcolor, a method to assure registry of each plural set of color imageswith each other plural set of color images, which includes the steps ofmarking on each original color plate a plurality of reference pointspositioned so they would lie on a straight line passed through theplates at right angles to their printing surface when nested with therespective complementary color portions in registry, making a pluralityof mold plates from each of said original plates, said mold plateshaving provision for receiving saidreference points during the moldingoperation, placing in contiguous spaced relation and securing togethereach will know that plurality of identical mold plates with the spacingand alignment of the reference points identical for each set ofassembled mold plates, and making printing pates from each set ofassembled mold plates.

3. In preparing from a set of single original color plates a set ofmultiple image color printing plates where each of the latter platescontains a plurality of duplicate printing images for its particularcolor, a ethod to assure registry of each plural set of co or imageswith each. other plural set of color images, which includes the steps ofselecting one of the original color plates as a key plate, marking onthis key plate a plurality of reference points, taking a proof of saidkey plate, marking the reference points on the proof while it is inregister with the key plate, placing this proof successively in registerwith the image on each of the other original color plates and while inregister marking the reference points on each of the latter, perforatingeach of the original color plates at said reference points, setting apin in each perforation to project above the surface of said plates,making a plurality of duplicate mold plates from each of said originalplates, said mold plate material conforming to said pins during saidmolding operation to form reference indentations on each duplicate,placing each plurality of duplicate mold plates on an assem ly base,inserting a spaced measuring means in ach reference indentation to alignand space identically each like set of mold plates, securing said likemold plates in this spaced position, and making printing plates fromeach set of assembled like mold plates. A

4. In preparing from a set of single original color plates a set ofmultiple image color printing plates where each of the latter platescontains a plurality of duplicate printing images for its particularcolor, a, method to assure registry of each plural set of color imageswith each other plural set of color images, which includes the steps ofselecting one of the original color plates as a key plate, marking onthis key plate a plurality of reference points, taking a proof of saidkey plate on a transparent material, marking the reference points on theproof while it is in register with the key plate, placing thistransparent proof successively in register with the image on each of theother original color plates and while in register marking the referencepoints on each of the latter, forming a marker on each of the originalcolor plates at said reference points, making a plurality of duplicatemold plates from each of said original plates, said mold plate materialconforming to said markers during said molding operation to formreference markers on each, duplicate, placing each plurality ofduplicate mold plates on an assembly base, registering a spacedmeasuring means with each marker to align and space identically eachlike set of mold plates, securing said like mold plates in this spacedposition, and making printing plates from each set of assembled likemold plates.

5. In preparing from a set of single original color plates a set ofmultiple image color printing plates where each of the latter platescontains a plurality of duplicate printing images for its particularcolor, a method to assure registry of each plural set of color imageswith each other plural set of color images, which includes the steps ofselecting one of the original color plates as a key plate, marking onthis key plate a pinrality of reference points, taking a proof of saidkey plate on a transparent material, marking the reference points on theproof while it is in register with the key plate, placing thistransparent proof successively in register with the image on each of theother original color plates and while in register marking the referencepoints on each of the latter, perforating each of the original colorplates at said reference points, setting a pin in each perforation toproject above the surface of said plates, making a plurality ofduplicate mold plates from each of said original plates, said mold platematerial conforming t said pins during said molding operation to formreference indentations on each duplicate, placing each plurality ofduplicate mold plates on an assembly base, inserting a spaced measuringmeans in each reference indentation to align and space identically eachlike set of mold plates, securing said like mold plates in this spacedposition, and making printing plates from each set of assembled likemold plates.

6. In preparing from a set of single original color plates a set ofmultiple image color printing plates where each of the latter platescontains a plurality of duplicate printing images for its particularcolor, a method to assure registry of each plural set of color imageswith each other plural set of color images, which includes the steps ofselecting one of the original color plates as a key plate, taking aproof of said key plate, marking reference points on said proof and saidkey plate while they are in register, placing this proof successively inregister with the image on each of the other original color plates andwhile in register marking the reference points on each of the latter,perforating each of the original color plates at said reference points,setting a pin in each perforation to project above the surface of saidplates, making a plurality of duplicate mold plates from each of saidoriginal plates, said mold plate material conforming to said pins duringsaid molding operation to form reference indentations on each duplicate,placing each plurality of duplicate mold plates on an assembly base,inserting a spaced measuring means in each reference indentation toalign and space identically each like set of mold plates, securing saidlike mold plates in this spaced position, and making printing platesfrom each set of assembled like mold plates.

7. In preparing from a set of single original color plates a set ofmultiple image color printing plates where each of the latter platescontains a plurality of duplicate printing images for its particularcolor, a method to assure registry of each plural set of color imageswith each other plural set of color images, which includes the steps ofselecting one of the original color plates as a key plate, taking aproof of said key plate on a transparent material, marking referencepoints on the proof and on said key plate while they are in register,placing this transparent proof successively in register with the imageon each of the other original color plates and while in register markingthe reference points on each of the latter, forming a marker on each ofthe original color plates at said reference points, making a pluralityof duplicate mold plates from each of said original plates, said moldplate material conforming to said markers during said molding operationto form reference markers on each dulicate, placing each pluralit ofduplicate mold plates on an assembly base, registering a spacedmeasuring means with each market to align and space identically eachlike set of mold plates, securing said like mold plates in this spacedposition, and making printing plates from each set of assembled likemold plates.

8. In preparing from a set of single original color plates a set ofmultiple image color printing plates where each of the latter platescontains a plurality of duplicate printing images for its particularcolor, a method to assure registry of each plural set of color imageswith each other plural set of color images, which includes the steps ofselecting one of the original color plates as a key plate, taking aproof of said key plate on a transparent material, marking referencepoints on said proof and said key plate while they are in register,placing this transparent proof successively in register with the imageon each of the, other original color plates and while in registermarking the reference points on each of the latter, perforating each ofthe original color plates at said reference points, setting a pin ineach perforation to project above the surface of said plates, making aplurality of duplicate mold plates from each of said original plates,said mold plate material conforming to said pins during said moldingoperation to form reference indentations on each duplicate, placing eachplus rality of duplicate mold plates on an assembly base, inserting aspaced measuring means ineach reference indentation to align and spaceidentically each like set of mold plates, securing said like mold platesin this spaced position, and making printing plates from each set ofassembled like mold plates.

JESSE ARNOLD WHITF.

